Learning Objectives

Chapter 13

1. Define the term personality, and discuss the importance of viewing personality from within a cultural context.
2. Describe the three levels of thought described by Freud, list and define the three structures of the mind, and explain the relationship between the three primary structures of the mind and the different levels of thought as discussed in Freudian theory.
3. Summarize Freud’s psychosexual stage theory of personality development and identify the conflicts experienced at each stage and the adult characteristics associated with each.
4. Identify the major defense mechanisms and explain how people use these to reduce anxiety.
5. Describe the 6 concepts of importance to Adler’s personality theory and explain how his approach is different from Freud’s psychodynamic theory.
6. Describe the similarities and differences between Jung and Freud and the four key archetypes discussed in Jung’s theory.
7. Describe the behavioral approach to personality development, state how it differs from other personality theories, and discuss the role of reinforcement and punishment in personality development.
8. Name the three categories of traits defined by Allport, and compare this theory to Cattell’s trait theory.
9. List and describe the three bipolar dimensions of Eysenck’s type theory.
10. Describe the five “supertraits” in the Five-Factor Model.
11. Compare and contrast the humanistic approaches with other personality theories.
12. Explain Maslow’s hierarchical model of personality development and discuss the characteristics of people who have achieved self-actualization.
13. Identify Rogers’ basic assumptions about personality and the factors associated with its development, and explain the relationship between the self and personality.
14. Summarize the importance of positive psychology and explain how it is different from other humanistic theories of personality.
15. Characterize some of the assumptions made by cognitive personality theorists and explain how this theory differs from the traditional behavioral model.
16. Discuss the role of personal constructs in understanding personality according to Kelly.
17. Define and differentiate between an internal and external locus of control and state how this differentiation is important in understanding behavior.
18. Using Bandura’s model, explain the importance of having a strong sense of self-efficacy, how this aspect of personality develops, and how gender norms can influence it.
19. Discuss how Mischel’s self-regulatory process allows people to respond flexibly to various situations.
20. Define what is meant by a personality assessment, identify some of the most popular instruments used in personality assessment, and explain the difference(s) between objective and projective personality tests.